Chapter 4

Question 1

Abstract

Answer 1

A term with two meanings in literature review: a short summary of a scholarly journal article that usually appears at its beginning, and a reference tool for locating scholarly journal articles.

Question 2

Alternative hypothesis

Answer 2

A hypothesis paired with a null hypothesis stating that the independent variable has an eddect on a dependent variable

Question 3

Attributes

Answer 3

The categories or levels of a variable

Question 4

Citation

Answer 4

Details of a scholarly journal article’s location that helps people find it quickly

Question 5

Dependent variable

Answer 5

The effect variable that is last and results from the causal variable(s) in a causal explanation. Also the variable that is measured in the pretest and posttest and that is the result of the treatment in experimental research

Question 6

Ecological fallacy

Answer 6

Something that appears to be a causal explaantion but is not. it occurs because of confusion about units of analysis. A researcher has empirical evidence about an association for large-scale units or huge aggregates, but overgeneralizes to make theoretical statements about an assocation among small-scale units or individuals

Question 7

First-order interpretation

Answer 7

In qualitative research, what the people who are being studied actually feel and think

Question 8

Hypothesis

Answer 8

The statement from a causal explanation or a proposition that has at least one independent and one dependent variable, but it has yet to be empirically tested

Question 9

Independent variable

Answer 9

The first variable that causes or produces the effect in a causal explanation

Question 10

Intervening variable

Answer 10

A variable that is between the initial causal variable and the final effect variable in a causal explanation.

Question 11

Level of analysis

Answer 11

A way to talk about the scope of a social theory, causal explanation, proposition, hypothesis, or theoretical statement. The range of phenomena it covers, or to which it applies, goes from social psychological (micro level) to organizational (meso level) to large-scale social structure (macro level)

Question 12

Linear research path

Answer 12

Research that proceeds in a clear, logical, step-by-step straight line. it is more characterisitc of a quantitative approach to social research

Question 13

Literature review

Answer 13

A systematic examination of previously published studies on a research question, issue, or method that a researcher undertakes and integrates together to prepare for conducting a study or to bring together and summarize the “state of the field”

Question 14

Nonlinear research path

Answer 14

Research that proceeds in a circular, back-and-forth manner. It is more characteristic of a qualitative than a quantitative style to social research.

Question 15

Null hypothesis

Answer 15

A hypothesis that says there is no relationship or association between two variables, or no effect

Question 16

Reductionism

Answer 16

Something that appears to be a causal explanation, but is not, because of a confusion about units of analysis. A researcher has empirical evidence for an association at the level of individual behaviour or very small-scale units, but overgeneralizes to make theoretical statements about very large-scale units

Question 17

Second-order interpretations

Answer 17

In qualitative research, what a researcher believes the people being studied feel and think

Question 18

Spuriousness

Answer 18

A statament that appears to be a causal explanation, but is not because of a hidden, unmeasured, or initially unseen variable. The unseen variable comes earlier in the temporal order, and it has a causal impact on what was initially positied to be the independent variable as well as the dependent variable

Question 19

Third-order interpretation

Answer 19

In qualitative research, what a researcher tells the reader of a research report that the people he or she studied felt and thought

Question 20

Unit of analysis

Answer 20

The kind of empirical cas or unit that a researcher observes, measures, and analyses in a study

Question 21

Universe

Answer 21

The broad class of units that are covered in a hypothesis. All the units to which the findings of a specific study might be generalized

Question 22

Variable

Answer 22

A concept or its empirical measure that can take on multiple values